Brake construction



oct. 11, 1938. 1 A. BIXBY' v 2,133,074

BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Oct. 1l, 1938.7 lA.. A. Blxl-BY" 24,133,074

BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Filed N ov. 3.o,v 19:56- 4 sheets-sheet 2 f' .6. f J 2 Oc1.11,193s. A LA. Bxy 2,133,074

BRAKE coNsTRUQTIoN FiedNov. 30; 1936 `4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 1l, 1938. A, B|XBY I 2,133,074

` BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. so, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented ct. 1`1`, 1938 STAT ' A miamiy CoNs'incarica''f i Le@ A. Bixby, Kalamazoajivnqhi 'gssignorfi" Clark` Equipment Company,. Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application; November' 30,1936, sei-.iai No.. 113,318

The present invention relates generally to brakes forautomotive vehicles and the like, and V is particularly concerned with brakes of theexternal contracting type arranged Von the pro- 5 peller shaft at the rear-0f the transmission( One of the principal objects ofthe present invention is the provision of a brake mechanism of thisY general type which is 'particularly adapted to-be mounted in optionalv positionsso as'to accommodate various kinds of brake operating arrangements. AHeretoforebrake means of this character usually have embodied a brake Vdrum secured to the'V driven shaft of the transmission Iand a `brake band of the external type anchored 15 against'rotation and contracted about-the brake drum by suitable mechanism disposed at one side of the transmission, atY the rear of which the v transmissions for Ytrucks of the cab-oVer-engine The principal feature of the present intype. vention is, therefore, the provisionV of a brake construction which provides for the disposition of thebrake applying means in a yplurality of optional positions.` v, f These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will vbe apparent to those skilled intheart after a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsillustrating the' pre- .ferred construction. o ,l K Y 'f In the drawings: i

'gure l is a view looking forwardly toward the rear end of a transmission unitprovided'with a brake construction embodying the principles of the present invention'f' `Figure 2 `is an elevation, looking toward the right side of the construction shown in Figure 1, withY the brake applying means mounted at `this side of the transmission, with the brake operating,v

means in an upper position; Figure Sis a View of the anchor for along the line 43---3 of Figure 2; o i Y Y I Figure 4 is a view, `reduced in scaleylooking 55; side "of `the transmission; g

the brake `dially *outwardlyA through an opening inthe anoperating means, looking downwardlygenerallyl Y o i Y Y choring lug I5and has a kerfj25to accommodatev Figure i5 isla view similar to Figure 2 and shows the anchoring means for the brake applying-mechanism on-the same side ofthe Vtransmissionas inlFigureZ` but in a reversed position so as f-to permit the connection ofthe brake operating-mechanismA ina Vlower position; l

Figure 6 Yis a-view illustrating -the disposition l of the'brake applying mechanism and associated parts at the -left side vof the transmission; :Figure'l isa corresponding view showing the` anchoring means for the brake'band kmounted V at the right Aside of the transmission; and

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but illustrating` the reversed position of the brake applyingmeansas compared with its position as shown inFigure 6. Y

Figures 1, 2 and Zi,Y reference numeral' I indicates Y an automotive `Yselective 5 gear transmission of more or less conventional construction, embodying a housing 2 and: suitable gearing therein (not shown), which servesfto transmit the drive to a driven shaft- 3-. The rear end of the shaft rv3 is splined, asfindicatedat 4 (Figure2) and receives a `collar 5 which serves as a support for aflanged brake drum 6. Preferably, though not necessarilyfthe universal joint by which the power is transmitted tothe propeller shaft of a 'vehicle is also connectedrwith the collar 5, the ,central portion of the brake drum 6 being bolted to the flange fof the collar 5, and the latter being heldy onto the rear end of the driven shaft 3 by a threadednut 1 or `other suitable means.

The brake drum 6 is surrounded by a' brake band I of the externalicontracting type which includes a band. member II and friction brake lining I2. Thelntermediate portion of the brake VReferring `now-to the drawings, particularly i band I0 carries `a U-'shapedmember I5 riveted or otherwise"securedftheretol inV any suitable manner, andY the leftv side of the'trans'mission '(Fi'gure 45)*` is provided with an apertured boss sectionfI-I in Ywhichthree Vbolts I1,-I8Vand I9 are disposed andi-adapted to clamp to the left side of the .transmission an anchoring bar 2|, which has an end? 2 2 that extends 'rearwardly in betweenthefintermediate portions ofthe U-shaped anchoringY lug I5. 1 The end 22 of the anchoring bar 2|V ls apertured', as at 23, and receivesv a threaded adjusting screw 24 which extends: ra-

`as tool vfor adjusting the position ofthe screw 24.

- A springV 2,1 is'fdisposed between the outer portion Y the anchoring bar 2|. The spring 21 reacts from the brake drum 6.

against the end 22 of the anchoring bar 2| and biases the brake band for movement away The right side ofthe transmission referring 1 now to Figure 2 is provided with bosses 38 Cil similar to those accommodating the bolts l1, I8

and I9 on the left sideY of the transmission, and

the nature of a reversible casting having a lrear- Y, Vwardly extending arm 39 and an upwardly disposed arm 48 shorterthan-the arm 39. The main portion of the anchoring member 38 includes thickened boss sections 42, 43 and 44 which are apertured to provide bolt receiving Openings f spaced to register with the bolt receiving openings at either side of the transmission, and the boss sections 42, 43 and 44 are machined on both sides to provide the mounting of the anchoring `member 38 at either sideof the transmission K withthe shorter arm 40 in either an upper position (Figures 2 and 6)V or in a lower position (Figures 5 and 8). The ,endoffthe shorter arm '3,8 is also provided with av bosssection `45 which is apertured, Vasat 46,Y and is also machined on Y both sides. `The outer end of the arm 39 is provided with 'three apertures; an aperture 48 disposed in the' central plane of the member 38 and in a boss 49 formed at the outerY end of the arm 39; a smaller opening` 58 disposed to one side of the central plane of the member'48 and outwardly beyond the larger opening 48; and a second smaller opening 5| disposed an equalamount on the other side of the central plane of the memberp38 and inwardly the same distance'from the larger opening 48 that thev opening 58 is disposed outwardly. f Y e The brake applying mechanism, which is associated with'and connected to the anchoring member 38, will now be described. As best shown in Figure l, one end of the brake band I8 carries a lug 68 and the other end carries a similar lug 8 I. Preferably, for reasons which will be referred to later, the lugs 68 and 6| are identical. vEach lug is` fastened in any suitable way, as by rivets,

' Y to the ends of the metal strap forming a part of the brake band |8. The lug Y6|) includes a pair of lreinforcing webs 62 on one side of an aperturedsection 63, and a similar pair of reinforcing webs 84 isprovided on the other side 4.of the extended section 63. By virtue of ythe reinforcing sections 64, excessive Wear at the heel of the lug is prevented. The radially outermost end of the extended section 63 is provided with openings 65 Vand 66 in the cornersv thereof (Figure 3) and in 1 the arrangement shown in FigureV 2, theopening 65 receives the headed end of an adjustingV bolt 61 that acts to cooperate with the Ybar 2| in sup position relative to the brake drum 6.V The bolt' k81itsrwith'sufficient looseness in the opening F58 'of the-anchoring arm 39, and also inthe openingr65 of the lug 63, so that the end of the brake'band may be drawn upwardly'freely when n the brake is contracted about the brake drum 6.

The ,lug section 63 is also'providedwth a relatively large central opening-1|1fin which, inthe arrangement shown in Figure 2, the lower end of a J-bolt 12 is disposed. A spring 13 of relatively large size is disposed against the lug section 63 Y and is held between the outer surface of the latter and an adjusting nut 14. A washer 15 is preferably 'disposed between the ladjusting nut -14 and the lower end of the spring 13. The/end of the 'Y J`bolt 12 is threaded to receive the adjusting nut 14, and a lock nut 11 and a lock washer 18 are also carried by the J-bolt12. As best shown in Figure 2, the diameter of the opening 1| is somewhat larger than the rdiameter of the bolt 12, and this construction, taken together with the relatively large spring 13, provides a rocking connection between the lugl section 63 and the J-bolt 12, accommodating any angular movement between the brake band lug and the bolt 12 when the brake is applied. A spring 19, lighter than the spring 13, is disposed betwen the upperrsurface of the lug section 63 and the lower surface of the anchoring arm 39. The spring 19 serves to move the brake band out of contact with the brake drum 6 when thebrake is released.

The lug 6| at the other end of the brake band I8 vis identical, for all practical purposes, with the lug 68Yand similarly includes a lug section 83 with pairs of 'webs84 and 85 on opposite sides thereof, the webs 85 reinforcingthe lug andserving to distribute the brake-applying stresses and prevent excessive Wear which sometimes occurs atV the heel of ordinary lugs. 'I'he lug section 83 of the Vlug 6|, like the lug 68, is'V also .provided with openings 81 and 88 at the opposite corners Vof thelug, but when the partsare arranged as illustrated in Figure 2, the adjusting bolt 61 is not disposed in either of these openings.

The upper surface of the lugl section 83 in Figure 2 is flat, like the lower surface of the lug section 63, and receives a head 98 which has a curved lug-engaging surface 9| (Figure l) and is apertured to receive the upper end of the J'bolt 12. The lug section 83 -is also apertured to receive the J-bolt. Thev hook end 94 ofthe J-bolt receives a pivot pin 95 vand is disposed between a pair of cam plates 96 and 91. The cam plates are generally triangular in shape and each is provided with a cam surface or edge engaging the head 98 on opposite sides of the J-bolt Y12. The cam plates are apertured to receive a pivotY Din |88, and a yoke |8| is disposed between the cam plates and pivoted to the pin Y |88, and an operating rod |02 is threaded into orotherwise fastened to the yoke |8| so thatra pull on the .rod |82, in the arrangement shown in Figure 2,Y swings the cam plates 96 and 91 about the pivot 95 and eX- erts a thrust againstrthe lugv section 83 through the head and reacts through the' bolt 12 against the other lug section 63. The pivot 95-also receives the rear ends of a pair of anchoring links |85 and |86 and the links, at their forward ends,

are pivoted by a pin |81 to the upper and rear Y' end ofthe anchoring arm 48. /By virtue of this Y arrangement, the b rake .applying `pull on the rod |82 does not tend to forcethe ends ofthe brake band laterally, since the J-bolt is held in proper position Ybyits disposition in the opening 48 of `the anchoring` arm 39 and by the anchoring links ing arm 39` to keep the ends of the brake band out of contact with the brake druml 6,` but when a pull is exerted on the-rod |02., the camplates 96 and 91 are swung about their pivotal' connection with the J-bolt and the linksv |05 and |06 and pressed downwardly against ther head v9|), which receives, and ismovable axially along, the bolt 'l2'. The curved surface 9| permits theangular movement between the lug 6|"(Figure 1) and the'` head 90 which occurs when the' brake is applied', but the head 90, at the same time, serves to keep the lug from cocking out of the properlpositions. The reaction of the swinging of thecam plates 96 and 91 acts directly through the J-bolt 12 to exert an upward .pull on the lower lug 60, therocking connection between the lower end of the bolt 12:

and the lug, by virtue of the relativelyfheavy spring 13, accommodating an angularmovenent of the lug GIL-relative to the bolt 12, corresponding to the similar angular movement of thel lug 6| relative to the bolt |2. Due to the length of lthe links 4|65 and |06 and the disposition `of the bolt l2 within the opening 48 Within the anchoring arm 39, the movement of -the 1ugs-60 and 6| is, Vfor all practical purposes, a straight line circumferential movement whichV brings the ends of the brake band I 0 Vcloser together and contracts the brake about the brake drum 6. In this contracting movement-of the brake`bandthe latter is anchored against rotation with Kthe brake drum 6 by virtue 'ofitsfconnection with the anchoring bar 2|. rHowever, theV requiredy movement of -thebrake bandas awhole toward the drum is accommodated by the-anchoring'lug Vsliding toward the brake drum 81 on the end 22 of the anchoring bar 2| and against the tension of the spring 21. By virtue of the adjusting screw 24 and the adjustingbolt 61, the brake band may be brought to an accurately concentric position with respect to the brake drum' but spaced therefrom, as shown inFigure 1, therrequired amount to permit the free rotationr of the brake drum 6relative tothe brake band |0,when the brake is released.

Reference has been made above to Ythe ability of the brake construction, embodying the princ'iples of the present invention, to meet therequirements of various operating arrangements.

Y In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and13,

the brake operating rod |02, which is connected vto a hand brake |0, (Figure 1), is disposed in an upper position at the right side of the transmission accommodating amounting of the brake lever ||0 in the position shown. For some installations it may be desired, yfor example, to have the brake-applying rod |02 in a lower position rather than in an upper position, but at .the

right side of the transmission. In order to ac'- commodate this arrangement, the anchoring member 38 is mounted in a position reversed from that shown in Figure 2, so that the shorter arm 40 is disposed in thelower position. This is the position shown in Figurev 5, and to accommodate a lower position of the operating rod 102', the

J-bolt 12 and associated' parts are also mounted in a reversed position relative to the position.

shown in Figure 2. It is not,.however, necessary to reverse the `position of thebrake band |0-,.

although this may be'done if desired. However, as shown vrin Figure 5, thespring 13 isrshown as reacting against the lug-section 83,1whi1e-the curved head is shown asV acting against the lower surface of the lug sectionr63. It-will also be noted that the adjusting bolt 61 is mounted inl Figure 5 inV a position with its head end dis- `by Letters Patent is:

. or said brake anchoring means on either l saidtranswmission. Y y

' 2. In a brake construction for the rear end ofl posed in the opening '66 and with its threaded' end disposed in the opening 5| of the anchoring arm 39, the opening 5| now-being on the outer sideV and the opening 50 onthe inner side. however, the'brake band ll!) is mounted in a reversed position 'relative to* that shown in Figure 1, then the adjusting'boltA 61' would be disposed in the -oiziening-in lthe=lug section 83, but the threaded endwould'be disposed in the outer opening 5| in 'the'anchoring arm 39.

In both ofthe arrangements described above, the'` brake applying and Yoperating Amechanism has beendisposed at the right side of the transmission If desired, according to the present invention, the brake operating and .applying mechanism` may be disposed-at the left side of `the transmission; and in order to effect this disbar 2| and the anchoring member 38 have the same spacing so as toprovide for interchangeability. Actually,of course, the bolts l1, I8 and |9may be employed for holding `the anchoring bar 38 inipositionon the left side of the transmission, j while the bolts 33, 34 and 35 may be employed` for holding the brake band anchoring bar in position onthe right side of the transmission housing. v

" When the anchoring member 38 is mounted on the left side of the transmission, it can be disposedV either with the arm 40 in an upper position or in a lower position, as shown respectively in Figures 6 and'v 8. When the arm 40 is in an upper position, the operating rod |02 extends forwardly in substantially the same position as is indicated in Figure 2, but at the left .of the transmission, and when the arm 40 is disposed in a lower position, the operating rod |02 isV disposed in a positionrcorresponding rto the position vshown in Figure 5, but on the left side of the transmission. If desired, of course, the operating rod |02 inf any of the positions referred to above, may extend 'rearwardly and be operated by a push instead of a. pull.

' While I have shownfand described above the preferred structures in Vwhich the principles of the present invention have been illustrated, it is to be understood that, infact, Widely different f meanslmay be employed in the broader aspects of my invention.

What I` claim, therefore, and desire to secure l. In a brake V construction forthe rear endof a transmission; Aa brake band, brake applying means associated with said brake band, brake anchoring means for said band. and meansfor optionally supporting said brake applying means side of a transmission including amusing, va brake band,

Land means contracting said brake band, said housinghaving means on opposite sides thereof whereby said'ba'nd and contracting means. may

practice of they a transmission, a brake band, an anchoring memy ber-for the brake band, means detachably connecting said anchoring member. to one side of saidl transmission, means engageable with the ends of ysaid brake band for applying the same, an anchoring member for said brake applying means, and means for detachably connecting said second anchoring membertotheotner side of the transmission, both of Asaid detachable means being so `related Yto. each other that either anv choring memberV may be mounted on either side of the transmission, thereby providing for theV optional disposal of saidY brake applying Ymeans at either side of the transmission. v

5. In a brake construction for the rear endof a transmission, a brake band, an anchoring" member for the brake band, means engageable v/ith the ends of said brake band for applying the same, an anchoring member for said brake appiying means, and bolt means for detachably connecting 'said anchoring members to opposite sides of said transmission, the opposite side Walls l means detachably connected with said supporting means and with said brake band and-brake contracting means, respectively.

'7. In a brake construction for the rear end of a transmission, a brake band, an anchoring member for, the band fastened to one side of Ysaid transmission, apertured lugs carried at the ends of said brake b-and, means for contracting said brake band comprising a` member extending through the apertures in said brake band lugs and connected at one end with one of said lugs, a cam member pivoted to the opposite end of said vmember and reacting against the other brake band lug, and means for actuating said cam member, an anchor for said second member fastened to theother side of said transmission,

and corresponding means formed on both said anchoring members whereby they may eachbe mounted at either side of said transmission.

8. In a brake construction for a transmission, a brake band, apertured lugsiastened tothe ends 'of the brake band, an anchorV for the 'brake band, bolt Ameans extending through the apertures of said brake band lugs, means associated therewith for contracting the brake band, and a second anchoring means receiving said boit means and the reaction of said brake contractingmeans, and means carried vby said transmissionat each side thereof for optionally fastening eithersaid Yanchor or said anchoring means thereto.

posed in the apertures of said lugs, means connecting one'end of said member With one lug, means reactingagainst the other end of said member and against the other lug for contracting said brake band, and anchoring means for said construction comprising a bifurcated arm having one arm portion linked to said contracting means and the other arm portion disposed between said lugs, said arm having its mounting portion arranged to be secured in either one of tWo optional positions on the siderof said transmission.

10. In a brake construction, an external contracting brake band having substantially identical lugs'at its ends, means for contracting said brake band including a member connected at one end with one of said lugs, a rockable member rmodating the reversing of said first mentioned member and said brake contracting means.

11. In a brake construction for the rear end of a transmission, iin combinatiorna pair of reversible anchoring members, each of said members having identical mounting portions, and means on eachV side of-said transmission to optionally receive the mounting portions of either of said anchoring members.

' l2. In a brake lconstruction for the rear end of a transmission, the combination of a transmission housing, brake anchor receiving means on onel side vvallV of said housing, and a similar brake anchor receiving means mounted on the other side wallrof said housing in substantially transverse alignment with said rst mentioned 1orake anchor receiving means, saidrlatter means having an offset portion linkedY to the brake operating mechanism and reversible in position on said housing independently of the other anchor receiving means. Y Y

, 13. In a brake construction, brake operating mechanism anchoring means comprising a mem- -ber having one end formed toreceive and support portions ofV said brake operating mechanism, said end having'offset arm portions, the other end of said member having opposite sides formed to provide fortheattachment of sai-:1

means disposed in said apertures'and extending Y head portion engageable by said cam meansjand a cylindrical curved surface Vadapted to engage ther other of said brake yband lugs, and means for rockingV said cam-means for contracting'rsaid brake band. l. Y-

15. In combination, atransmission,a brake drum secured to the rear end thereof, a brake band about said drum having lugs at the adjacent ends thereof, an anchoring member for securing the portion of said band opposite said ends in positionrelative to said drum, means engaging said lugs for contracting said band about said drum, a secondianchoring member supporting said contracting means, and means for supporting either of said anchoring members in optional positions on either side of said trans- Vmission I 16. A brakey construction for the rear end of a transmission including a circular brake band, lugs on the adjacent ends of said band, means reacting on said lugs for contracting said band, an anchoring bracket comprising ka mounting portion and a pair of oiset arm portions, one of said arm portions having linked connection to said contracting means and the other ofsaid arm portions being disposed between and in the plane of said lugs, and means for mounting said bracket on said transmission with said rst arm portion either above or below said second arm portion.

17. A brake construction for the rear end of a'.

transmission including a circular brake band,

lugs on the adjacent ends of said4 band, meansreacting on said lugs for contracting said band, an anchoring bracket comprising a mounting portion and a pair' o f offset arm portions, one of said arm portions having linked connection to said contracting means and the other of said arm portions being disposed between and in the plane of said lugs and apertured to receive a portion of said contracting means, said last-named arm portion having diagonally oifset apertures and said lugs having apertured extensions, adjusting means' extending through one of said apertures and said apertured extension of the lower lug,

contracting the ends of said band including .an anchoring bracket, transversely lalined sets' of bosses on opposite sides of said transmission, andY means for optionally securing said anchoring means to either set of bosses and said bracket to the opposite set of bosses.

19. A brake construction for the rear end of a transmission, comprising a brake drum, a brake band encircling said drum, means for contracting said band including a bracket having offset arml portions, means anchoring said band against rotation, and means on each of the sides of said transmission optionally supporting either the contracting means orthe anchoring means in either of two positions thereon.

20. A brake construction including a brake band, lugs on the adjacent ends of said band, an anchoring bracket for said band, means engaging said lugs for contracting said band, an anchoring bracket for said contracting means, each of said brackets having identical mounting portions comprising spaced apertured bosses whereby each of saidA brackets may be optionally y mounted onthe same supporting member.

21. A brake construction including a brake band, lugs on the adjacent ends of said band, an anchoring bracket for said band, means engaging said lugs for contracting said band, an anchoring bracket for said contracting means, each ofY said vbrackets having identical mounting portions comprisingspaced apertured bosses machined on opposite lateral faces whereby each bracket may be optionally mounted in reversible position on spaced supporting means disposed transversely of Vsaid band. j 22. A brake construction for the 'rear end of a transmission,` comprising a brake band having adjacent ends provided with lugs, means reactingv between said lugs for contracting said band, said transmission including a housing having corresponding mounting portions on opposite and having an aperture extending normal tov said first aperture,`one of said arm portions centering said contracting means in position and the other forming a pivotal connection for a thrust member, preventing cooking of said contracting means relative to said drum, and means on eachside of said transmission for optionally supporting said bracket thereon. v

24. A brake construction for the rear end of a transmission comprising a brake drum, a brake band encircling the drum, a bracket having a pair of angularly extending arms terminating inapertured ends, band contracting means centered for contracting movement on one of said arms and supported against cooking on the other of said arms, a `series of apertured bosses on said bracket, a corresponding series of threaded openings in opposite sides of the transmission, and means for optionally securing said bracket to `either side of said transmission.

' LEO A. BIXBY.

- sides thereof, and bracket means supporting said f 

